Update on NC's Interdisciplinary Parent Representation Program

North Carolina's Interdisciplinary Parent Representation Program (IPRP) pairs parent attorneys with social workers to strengthen advocacy for parents involved in the child welfare system. In April 2025, Practice Notes profiled Buncombe County's experience with the IPRP in the article New Program Adds Social Workers to Some Parents' Legal Teams. This is an update on the program's continued success.

Improved Outcomes

With the assistance of AdoptUSKids, an evaluation confirms what national research has shown: when parents are represented by a team that includes both an attorney and a social worker, children reach permanency sooner, and families are better positioned for long-term stability.

Buncombe County program data for clients served by the IPRP were compared to clients in the same county who did not receive assistance from an IPRP social worker. Parents who participated in the IPRP achieved their desired case outcome 64% of the time, compared to 50% for parents who did not participate in the IPRP. The evaluation considered case rulings of reunification with parents, consenting to custody or guardianship, and voluntary relinquishments as positive outcomes. Parents served by the IPRP had their rights terminated less often, and voluntary dismissals from the county child welfare agency (i.e., withdrawing the petition alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency) occurred more often.

Anecdotal data indicate that parents served by the IPRP moved through the court system differently. They were better prepared for court hearings, more connected to community-based services, and more responsive to court expectations. Attorneys were able to focus on legal advocacy while social workers addressed barriers related to housing instability, transportation, substance use treatment coordination, and communication gaps. The result was not only quicker movement toward permanency, but better-informed decision-making throughout the life of the case. Interdisciplinary representation is working and will continue to be evaluated in North Carolina.

Parent Attorney Shortages and Legal Deserts

Over the past year, Annick Lenior-Peek, Parent Defender of the NC Office of the Parent Defender, embarked on a tour of North Carolina county courthouses, public defender offices, and private parent representation firms to understand what was working and where there were continued needs in abuse, neglect, and dependency court.

"Parent attorneys are overwhelmed with cases that require a different set of skills than what attorneys possess," Peek reports. "Having an IPRP social worker by their side would help them understand and explain what is happening in the case and why DSS is requiring a certain plan."

Peek adds, "A trained IPRP social worker can help explain to DSS why the proposed plan does not specifically address the needs of the parent or family, including assisting in finding a more beneficial program.

Across North Carolina, particularly in rural counties, we are seeing the emergence of "legal deserts"—areas where parents technically have a right to counsel, but meaningful access to experienced, trained parent defense attorneys is increasingly limited.

Part of the reason is the pay. Indigent parent attorneys in NC are currently compensated at $65 per hour to represent parents. These cases are complex, emotionally demanding, and time intensive. They require courtroom litigation, client counseling, collateral advocacy, document review, and coordination with multiple agencies. The current compensation rate does not reflect the scope or value of this work, nor has it kept up with inflation or rates in other areas of legal practice.

As a result, some judicial districts struggle to attract attorneys willing to accept appointments. Others rely on a very small number of attorneys who carry significant caseloads across multiple counties.

The IPRP does not solve the compensation crisis, but it does strengthen attorneys' capacity, increase their efficiency, and provide support that makes the work more sustainable.

From Caution to Collaboration

Each time IPRP is implemented in a new county, there is some trepidation from partner agencies. This is understandable. It is natural to have questions and anxieties about role clarity, duplication of effort, impact on existing workflows, and potential tensions between IPRP social workers and county child welfare caseworkers.

Yet in every IPRP county, these concerns have been alleviated. Rather seeing IPRP social workers as competitors, partner agencies increasingly view IPRP social workers as connectors who are bridging communication gaps, reducing misunderstandings, and helping parents engage more meaningfully with the process. We've heard many success stories from county child welfare agency caseworkers, attorneys, judges, and most importantly, parents who have successfully navigated the system.

Today, IPRP social workers are actually getting referrals directly from child welfare caseworkers who recognize that additional parent-focused support can improve case progress. Guardian ad litem programs have invited IPRP representatives to share information during volunteer training. Judges have observed improved preparedness and more thorough information presented in court.

One New Hanover County child welfare caseworker said about an IPRP social worker, "She truly has shown how important it is to engage with the whole team and build positive relationships. She is extremely professional, caring, and always available to support our clients. She advocates well for her clients and helps them feel like a priority, no matter what the situation. She always ensures open communication and encourages everyone that it takes a supportive team to achieve successful outcomes. I wish more clients had such an amazing support person in their lives."

Looking Forward

North Carolina's child welfare system faces significant pressures, including workforce turnover, complex family needs, and regional disparities in access to services, treatment, and counsel. The IPRP is not a fix for these problems. But it is a proven practice that can lessen systemic strains that keep families separated.

Many counties are taking note of the IPRP's successes and have inquired about bringing it to their area. Our hope is that IPRP will receive additional investment so expansion can be more expeditious, and eventually, we will be available statewide.

For more information on the IPRP, visit the website or contact IPR Program Manager Sharice Zachary at sharice.j.zachary@nccourts.org.

References for this and other articles in this issue